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Date rape - the facts

The harrowing truths about how easily it could happen to you.

Have you ever woken up and found yourself without your clothes, perhaps hurt but unable to remember anything about it? If you have, you may have suffered a date rape.

Date rape is the name given to an increasingly common form of rape, whereby the rapist sedates the victim with alcohol or drugs or both, rather than using physical violence. Of course, someone you're dating might also use force, intimidation or violence to try and commit rape.

How common is date rape?

Unfortunately, this type of offence seems to be rising. The Metropolitan Police, which covers the London area, recorded an increase of 17% in reported date rapes between 2001 and 2002 and other forces report rises. Some of these rises may well be because more victims are reporting rape.

Nationally, the Forensic Science Services reports around 450 investigations into drug-assisted rapes throughout the UK every year. The Home Office warns that these figures are probably a massive underestimate as victims are still reluctant to report rape.

Several famous people have recently claimed to have experienced date rape, including Helen Mirren, Pamela Anderson and Ulrika Jonsson.

How does it happen?

Typically, a rapist will spike a victim's drink. This means that they secretly add a drug into the drink, which may be alcoholic anyway. The most commonly used drugs for this purpose include Rohypnol, a sleeping drug that causes amnesia (loss of memory) and GHB - also known as liquid ecstasy. Both of these drugs become tasteless, colourless and odourless once dissolved - although legal Rohypnol products have been made to turn drinks blue and leave a residue on the surface for the past few years.

The rapist is usually someone that you know - at least slightly. You may be on a first date with them or meet them at a party. They may not spike your drink, but just keep on refilling your glass with alcohol. This has long been a trick to lower victim's defences.

Reducing the risk

People who have been drinking or taking drugs are more vulnerable to all sorts of crimes, especially assault because they are neither physically nor mentally as alert as usual. One sensible way to try to reduce your risk of suffering date rape is to reduce or cut out your use of drugs and alcohol, especially in public situations.

However, even if you have a soft drink, a would-be rapist could still spike it. So you need to keep a very careful eye on your drink and not leave it where a stranger or your date could tamper with it. Don't accept opened drinks from strangers.

Roping in friends

If you're out with friends, try to agree to watch out for each other. Perhaps consider a rota system where one or two of you don't drink at all and check the others are not having their drinks tampered with. In pubs and clubs, staff are being encouraged to do this too.

If the worst happens

Seek help from a doctor or hospital - and the police, if you are willing to report the crime. For support, contact the Rape Crisis Federation on 0115 900 3560 or www.rapecrisis.co.uk who can give you a list of local rape survivors? support centres.

And remember, however you or the people around you feel, it is NEVER the victim's fault. Rape is always the responsibility of the rapist.

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